Last week my father was in the hospital recovering from a surgery and as a result of the massive blood loss was in need of a blood transfusion.  I had gone to visit my father on Friday when I heard the news and suggested donating blood, something I had heard alot about in previous years but had never experienced.  After returning from a rather decent lunch at a local chinese restaurant in San Borja I was instructed by my Aunt to head with her to the first floor where the Hematology labs were located. 

While I filled out the required paperwork I felt a little nervous, having never donated blood before but managed to put my concerns aside to help my father.  Apparently in order for a patient to recieve blood (or in my father's case, 1 unit of blood = 1 liter of blood) friends or family must donate an equal amount of blood to replenish the blood used.  On top of that the patient is charged the cost of the blood which at the Clinic in San Borja came out to be S/. 770.00, which isn't inexpensive!  When I was finally called in to the back of the lab I was taken into a room with two patient benches and a weight balance.  The nurse orded me to stand on the balance which I found odd for a blood donation, nevertheless I did as I was told.  I almost laughed when the nurse asked me "if I had lost weight recently or if I had always been that skinny?"  I had no clue what so ever that a persons weight was important for blood donation, in fact I was almost denied the opportuntity to donate blood because of my weight.  The nurse decided to take a few blood samples to test my hemoglobin levels in order to determine whether or not I would be able to donate blood, in the mean time I sent back to the waiting room to wait until further notice.

20 minutes of watching reggaeton music videos and I was finally called back to the room where I was guided on to the bench.  The nurse first took my blood pressure (for what reason I am not sure), then she prepared the blood recipient bag and followed up by soaking a piece of cotton in alcohol (which smelled strong of Vodka) which she then passed over my arm, marking the spot where she would eventually make the insertion.  Finally the moment of truth came as the nurse pulled out what was a huge needle and stuck straight into my arm with a rather painful piercing feeling (Damn, cartoon blood drop LIED TO ME!).  I laid there for what was 10 minutes making open and closed motions with my hand to help pump the blood from my veins.  It wasn't towards the end that I started to feel light-headed and sweaty, followed by an increasing sense of nausea.  I mentioned my symptoms to the nurse and she quickly grabbed a chair and placed it under my feet elevating above my head.

For my donation I was given a rather tasty juice box and a rather nasty packet of cheese crackers, all followed by a dissertation on: THE EFFECTS OF BLOOD DONATION ON PATIENTS by the head doctor of Hematology.  :(

Donating blood turned out to be an interesting experience in itself and one I will never forget.  I am proud that I could help my father and I am proud that I attempted something I onced feared.  Would I do it again?  If the situation required it, DEFINATELY!  Otherwise, it may be awhile before I voluntarily donate again.